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WildBlue-1, AMC-18 Readied for installation on Ariane 5 |
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KOUROU, French Guiana, Nov. 28, 2006/Satnews Daily/
― Arianespace has announced
that the dual-satellite payload for the company’s fifth Ariane 5 mission
of 2006 is ready for integration with the launcher at Europe's Spaceport
in French Guiana. This year-ending flight - scheduled for December 8 -
will carry WildBlue Communications' WildBlue-1 and SES Americom’s AMC-18
spacecraft.
The spacecraft is equipped with 24 C-band transponders and will provide cable television services to the 50 United States and the Caribbean. It has a design life of 15-plus years, and will expand SES Americom’s fleet of satellites that distribute cable, television and radio broadcasts, telecommunications services, business television and broadband data throughout the Americas and transoceanic regions.
Arianespace said WildBlue-1 satellite has been moved from one hall to another within the S5 satellite preparation facility via an inside corridor. WildBlue-1 is an all-Ka-band satellite that will provide direct two-way wireless Internet access to homes and small offices in areas of the contiguous United States where terrestrial broadband access alternatives are either limited or unavailable.
The WildBlue-1 satellite is installed on its cone-shaped adapter, which acts as the interface with the Ariane 5 payload "stack." With a mass at liftoff of 4,735 kg., WildBlue-1 will ride in the upper payload position on the launcher, and is to be released first in the deployment sequence.
Arianespace in Final Preparations for Dec. 8 Launch of WildBlue-1, AMC-18 Satellites WildBlue-1 Completes Pre-launch fit-check with Ariane 5 Launcher Hardware Space Systems/Loral Delivers WildBlue-1 Broadband Satellite to Launch Base Arianespace Begins Assembly for Launch of WildBlue-1, AMC-18 Satellites |
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